[hytenor]

I would just put the plates back on with the bolts not all the way tightened like you said, but I can't even get the first thread to catch. The gap is too big. Could I just go to my hardware store and get longer bolts?

I was just gonna take the diff drop out. I was thinking it probably didn't make that big of a difference and not worth this hassle. So, what I did, was I took the diff drop out, and had my buddy push up on the diff arms so I could see the difference with/without the drop in real time. I'm not sure what the actual angle decrease is, but it definitly was significant.

define 'significant'

when I experimented with lowering the front of the diff the only way ANY change was evident was to drop it as far as it would go, about 1.5". My boot fins were still stuck together even with that amount.
One member even measured the shift in axle angle...with a micrometer

this mod is more a mind game than a real-world solution and actually may do more harm then good.

in order to make the skids fit you must elongate the holes. there is a writeup on the New England site.

 

[hytenor]

So hytenor, would you just take the diff drop out? Does anyone without an auto-locking 4WD with a diff drop ever have problems engaging 4WD? That seemed to be Fabtech's main concern when I called them.

I would take it out but that's me.

as for what fabtec told you...huh??? the guy must have smoked too much crack that day. the dd has no effect on engaging 4wd

the ONLY reason for doing the dd is to releave some of the stress that is placed on the CVs when the lift is installed. And, more specifically on the boots themselves. the joints, both inner and outer on the CV axle assembly handle the 2-3" of lift just fine but the inner boots will wear out if the boot fins are pressed together. (which is what happens with a simple suspension lift) Standard OE boots are not designed to be in a constant flex like what is produced with a suspension lift; they like to be straight (check out a stock truck). On the inner boots the first (inner most) fin will be worn through by the fin next to it. newer, hi-angle boots are designed to handle the constant flex and not wear themselves out. The boots on my CV Unlimited axles are touching but there is no pressure of one fin edge gouging into the neighboring fin.
http://www.norcalttora.com/~chris/misc/CV angles/photos/photo_4.html
this is with about 2.5" of lift cranked into the SAWs.

With ADD as in all Tacos after '00 the CVs (and the front diff) are constantly in motion whether you are in 2 or 4wd. The older manual hub rigs (like my '00) don't have this problem so the boots last much longer...nothing turns but the wheels in 2wd.